Client and Donation Gifts (children, holiday, Christmas, money)
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I've had a client for 7 years. During the first 4 years at Christmas she would give me a gift card to a store. I was always appreciative and gave her a huge thank you and made sure to give her children a generous gift in return. During the last 3 years she has been making donations in my name to a charity. #1 I don't do all these extra things for her so that she can decide whom to donate to in my name. #2 I don't like her giving out my name/address to these charities who then sell my information and send me millions of donation requests throughout the year. 3. I can't even deduct the stupid donation made in my name because I have no basis in it. She, however, can deduct the donation on her tax return. 4. I don't like the charity she has chosen to donate to in my name and I certainly don't feel honored by this. Instead I feel anger.
I have asked her to stop giving out my address to these charities, but she does it anyway. I have called the charity and asked to be removed from their mailing list, but they don't remove me.
Is there anyway to politely let her know that this is not appreciated? I think it is a terrible idea to give donations in someone else name. If someone wants to make donations they will do it themselves without help to the organization of their choice.
If you are going to give someone a gift, then give the gift to them and not to a third party.
On the other hand, she is a client, and I am not trying to start a fight.
Maybe you could tell her that you can't handle all the junk mail that comes from it..tell her thanks, (and you appreciate the thought) but you'd rather she didn't...tell her the only charity you want/like to donate to is the animal shelter.
I agree, that if someone wants to give a gift to another, a donation in their name is not the answer...I wouldn't consider that a gift either....goodluck..hopefully she won't take offense when/if you set her straight.
Client and vendor gifts are really risky. It is something I have never practiced in all the years I've worked due to it's look of impropriety. I would send her a letter - yes a letter - not verbal and nicely explain while you have appreciated the gesture, everyone has been asked to refrain from this practice in your office in the future and just do away with the whole thing.
No, you have no basis in the donation and therefore cannot deduct it. You must have a basis to take a deduction. In addition, you must be able to file Schedule A instead of taking a standard deduction to deduct it.
It all depends on just how good a client she is. I would not feel the need to reciprocate other than in kind since she feels this is fine. However, it will never stop if you do.
So decide if the money you make is worth the aggravation and dispose of junk mail in the trash as it comes in without opening.
Ugh -- HATE charitable donations "in my name". I think it's fair to say, "Thank you so much for the thought, but I'm trying to streamline my gift-giving and marketing, so I am getting away from holiday gifts and working on something a little more work-oriented. Can we please agree not to exchange gifts?"
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